South Bend students who plan to join the military came under one roof Tuesday to be part of a ceremonial signing together.

Twenty-six young men and women ceremonially signed letters of intent to join the military at John Adams High School.

“I feel a lot of pride,” said Quentin Ruscio-Atkinson, who plans to join the Army.

“It was a great feeling, to get recognized and feel somewhat accomplished,” said Jordan Alexander, who plans to join the Navy.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg spoke to the students and their families on behalf of the city of South Bend.

“While the military may take you any number of places, I hope you always keep South Bend in your equation,” said Buttigieg, encouraging the m to come back and serve South Bend in some way.

“To me, veterans ought to be something we’re competing over,” said Buttigieg after the event. “These young men and women are going to gain skills, they’re going to form relationships that would make them an asset to any community. I want them to come right back here to South Bend.”

The mayor says the event brought back a feeling of nostalgia for his time in the military, but most of all it brought a feeling of obligation.

“You feel an obligation that these young men and women are putting an unbelievable amount of trust in their chain of command and the political leadership that steers that chain of command,” said Buttigieg.